I was a big chalk child too. My dad and I used to build 'towns' in our driveway, park our bikes in the parking lots, and make stores to sell things (usually bark, rocks, and sticks). Builds creativity.

I've noticed that in the winter, I"m also less motivated to do stuff with the kids too. So it's a double whammy! I am trying to do things that get us all moving and perk me up too. I think I need to get some snow shoes!

Any ideas for nice things to do outside that don't cost any money? Some games etc? I love taking the kids outside so my DD can learn about different plants, flowers, bugs... and she also knows lots about cars . But I'd like to keep things interesting.

Any ideas for nice things to do outside that don't cost any money? Some games etc? I love taking the kids outside so my DD can learn about different plants, flowers, bugs... and she also knows lots about cars . But I'd like to keep things interesting.

When the weather is nice, we do everything outside: Eat on the deck, read under a tree, go for walks, just play, groom the pets. This year, I'm planning to get special sketch books for all of us so we can try our hands at sketching while we are outside. DD is 6 and I know will really enjoy this.

When the weather is nice, we do everything outside: Eat on the deck, read under a tree, go for walks, just play, groom the pets. This year, I'm planning to get special sketch books for all of us so we can try our hands at sketching while we are outside. DD is 6 and I know will really enjoy this.

That sounds like a great thing to do! My DD is a bit young for that though.

That sounds like a great thing to do! My DD is a bit young for that though.

My youngest is 3 and her favorite thing to do outside together is play kick ball. She loves to chase and be chased so we chase her around with the ball (think keepaway except you are gently kicking the ball instead). It's totally mommy & me (or daddy & me) time so she always has a smile on her face when she sees the ball coming.

Thanks abimommy for those great sites. My ds is all about the songs lately, he's going to LOVE this new development
That car game is a lot of fun, sharing in the storytelling. Another good one is start at the A and name a food, Apple, the next person says Apple, Banana. Third says Apple, Banana, Cherries, and so it goes through Z. Oh yeah, we played it as, I went to the store and I bought...A-Z so it doesnt have to be food.
If you need a new board game to play my brothers (9 and 12) recommend Apples to Apples, there's a junior's version for 9+

Another fun car game to play/sing is the name game. For each letter of the alphabet, you make up names/spouse/live/sell with the letter you're on...."A my name is Alice, my husband's(or wife/reverse name) name is Adam, we're from Alaska and we sell Antelopes". It was always great seeing what the girls would come up with for names and places to live. Q was always a fun letter...as was X.

And we also bring her fragrant plants to smell-- flowers, honeysuckle, mint, lettuce, cilantro-- she amazingly enough grabs the mint and chews on it every time-- she can actually pick it out of the non-edibles.

We also make up silly songs, point at birds (we put up one of those window bird feeders) and go for long walks in the neighborhood.

She likes playdoh and when she is really ornery and I want to cheer her up, I will fill her plastic bathtub partway with rice and let her go to town with measuring spoons, cups, etc.

That sounds amazing!! Now that spring is here, we do a lot of herb walks with the boys. They love to be able to identify things, and what they are used for, but their favorite thing is to eat the edible stuff!

A game I loved as a child and now play with my kids is called "My father owns a grocery store", a guessing game that you can play anywhere, anytime.

You say..."My father owns a grocery store and in it he sells something that begins with (insert letter that begins the item you are thinking of, for example pretzels - say "p")" Then let the kids go wild trying to guess everything you can eat that starts with that letter. Whoever guesses it first gets to choose the next item (it has to be something you can eat to narrow down the field; otherwise you'd never get it!). Even very young kids love this game, though sometimes they need a little help. I've actually had complete strangers jump in when we are playing in public! It's almost contagious It's more of a challenge than it sounds as lots of things begin with the same letter; you can go for quite some time before someone guesses correctly. Sometimes a helpful hint is needed if they start to get discouraged, but it's a great game to have in the back of your mind for those restless waiting around times when the kids get antsy.